Stories by Associated Press

Flying This Thanksgiving? Expect Record Crowds at Airports

The Transportation Security Administration said Wednesday that it expects to screen more than 26.8 million passengers and airline crew members between Nov. 22 and Dec. 2. That would be a 4% increase over last year.

Ex-Ambassador’s Testimony Shines Light on Conservative Media

Former Ukrainian Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch’s impeachment testimony on Friday spotlighted the role of conservative media in her downfall and the chilling reminder that she remains a social media target.

Twitter Details Political Ads Ban, Allows Issue Ads

Twitter says its new ban on political ads will cover appeals for votes, solicitations for campaign contributions and any political content. However, it is allowing ads related to social causes such as climate change, gun control and abortion.

Ousted Ambassador Yovanovitch Testifies in Trump Impeachment Probe

The House will hear from a singular witness Friday in the Trump impeachment hearings: Marie Yovanovitch, the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine who was targeted by the president’s allies in a “smear” campaign now central to the inquiry. Watch live.

Joe Walsh Files to Challenge Trump in New Hampshire

Former Illinois congressman Joe Walsh has filed for the New Hampshire presidential primary, officially giving President Donald Trump two major Republican primary challengers in the early voting state.

Ex-Massachusetts Gov. Patrick Announces Dem Presidential Bid

In an announcement video, former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick highlighted his poverty-stricken childhood on Chicago’s South Side, saying he’s running for the “people who feel left out and left back.”

Takeaways from Day 1 of House Public Impeachment Hearings

Wednesday’s start of public impeachment hearings in Congress marked the first time that the American public could watch and listen to the witnesses whose testimony is at the core of the Democrats’ investigation.

Justice Department Rolls Out New Program to Combat Gun Violence

Attorney General William Barr announced a new initiative Wednesday that would better enforce the U.S. gun background check system, coordinate state and federal gun cases and ensure prosecutors quickly update databases to show when a defendant can’t possess a firearm because of mental health issues.

Privacy, Consumer Groups Seek to Block Google-Fitbit Deal

Nine privacy, social justice and consumer groups are calling for the U.S. government to block Google’s $2.1 billion acquisition of fitness-gadget maker Fitbit, citing antitrust and privacy concerns.

Impeachment Hearings Go Live on TV With the 1st Witnesses

When the gavel strikes at the start of the House hearing on Wednesday morning, America and the rest of the world will have the chance to see and hear for themselves for the first time about President Donald Trump’s actions toward Ukraine and consider whether they are, in fact, impeachable offenses. Watch live.

Northwestern Paper’s Apology Sparks Journalism Debate

Student editors at the newspaper covering Northwestern University have faced two waves of criticism over their coverage of protests in response to an event featuring former Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

Then and Now: How Trump Impeachment Hearing is Different

Even if the two most recent impeachment proceedings – against Presidents Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton – offer instructive clues about the path ahead, there are notable differences in the case surrounding Donald Trump. A look at then and now.

Chicago Rapper Lil Reese Shot, in Critical Condition

Hospital officials say Tavares Taylor, who’s known as Lil Reese, is in critical condition after being shot at a suburban Chicago intersection Monday afternoon.

McDonald’s Workers Say Anti-Harassment Efforts Fall Short

At least 50 workers have filed sexual harassment charges against the company with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or in state courts over the past three years.

Trump to Release April Call with Ukraine Leader This Week

Trump’s promise to release an account of his first conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy comes a day before House impeachment investigators begin public hearings.

Winter Already? Snow, Deep Freeze from Rockies to East Coast

An arctic air mass that brought snow and ice to an area stretching from the Rocky Mountains to northern New England on Monday was poised to give way to record-breaking cold temperatures.

Lobbying by Sitting Illinois Lawmakers Under Scrutiny

A federal bribery charge against an Illinois state legislator has led to questions about whether lawmakers should be allowed to lobby other units of government.

FBI: Cybercrimes on the Rise Because of Sophisticated Scams

In 2015, $220 million was lost to wire fraud in the United States. In 2019, losses will surpass $1.5 billion, according to WFG National Title Insurance Company.

Trump Impeachment Inquiry Heads to Live TV Coverage

When the House impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump begins its public phase on Wednesday, people will be watching on screens large and small. 

Like January in November: Much of US Braces for Record Lows

Air from Siberia — yes, Siberia — is heading toward a huge chunk of the United States and it could set record-low temperatures from Texas to New England.

Trump Launches Black Outreach Effort for 2020

During the 2016 campaign, candidate Donald Trump stood in front of largely white crowds and asked black voters to consider, “What the hell do you have to lose?” Trump offered that same message Friday as he launched a black voters coalition in Atlanta, Georgia. 

US Officials Identify ‘Strong Culprit’ in Vaping Illnesses

U.S. health officials announced a breakthrough Friday into the cause of a mysterious outbreak of vaping illnesses, reporting they have a “very strong culprit.”

Facebook is Deleting the Name of Potential Whistleblower

Facebook says it is deleting the name of the person who has been identified in conservative circles as the whistleblower who triggered a congressional impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump’s actions.

Facing Lawsuit, Devos Erases Student Loans for 1,500

Facing a federal lawsuit and mounting criticism, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos on Friday said she will forgive certain student loans for more than 1,500 borrowers who attended a pair of for-profit colleges that shut down last year, including the Illinois Institute of Art.

People Puzzled By Peculiar Texts, and No One Can Say Why

If you woke up Thursday to a weird text that seemed totally out of place, you aren’t alone. A mysterious wave of missives swept America’s phones overnight, delivering largely unintelligible messages from friends, family and the occasional ex.

More Than 2,000 in US Diagnosed in Vaping Illness Outbreak

New government figures show more than 2,000 people have been diagnosed with vaping illnesses in the still-unsolved U.S. outbreak.
 

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